Pendle duo’s success at tandem race night

Best friends Amy Greenall and Emily Mitchell have shown they are definitely on the right track when it comes to raising cash for charity.

The Pendle duo, who are currently in training for a 127-mile tandem cycle ride in July, hosted a successful race night at the Alma Inn, Laneshaw Bridge, over the weekend.

The well-attended event, which raised nearly £2,000, was organised to boost the pair’s fund-raising efforts for Leeds Teaching Hospitals Charitable Foundation — where Amy’s dad John was treated before his sudden death last year.

As well as including a number of sponsored races, the entertaining evening also boasted an auctioned race, a raffle and a performance from Gary Barlow tribute act Alex Taylor. Among the sponsors was John’s business A & M Financial Services.

Amy (25), a teacher at Padiham Primary School, said: “I cannot thank people enough — the night was absolutely amazing. We were a bit overwhelmed, and I got a bit teary on the night.

“People came and could enjoy themselves, while doing something for a good cause.

“We are getting back to training now.”

John, a father-of-two from Fence, died after a large cancerous growth was found on his kidney in November.

His daughter Amy, a former pupil at Fisher More Catholic Humanities College, decided to take on the tandem challenge with Emily to put a “positive spin on something that was so unexpected and so horrible”. She also wanted to follow in her dad’s fun-loving footsteps.

Writing on her JustGiving page. Amy said: “My dad always aimed high in life, people who knew him knew he was always working towards earning his millions so we are following (or cycling) in his footsteps and want to raise BIG amounts!”

To make a donation to “Amily” visit www.justgiving.com/2girlsonatandem, and for more information go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Two-Girls-on-a-Tandem